Christophe Jourd'hui, a graduate from the International School of Design (ISD) (France) and Benjamin Baron, a fellow ISD student who spent 8 months interning at BMW DesignWorks Munich, have put together this design thesis featuring what they call the MZ8 Concept.

Jourd'hui says that the MZ8 design "commemorates the 40 years of Motorsport department... I decide to work on a spyder in honor of the Z8 and 8 series. Modern interpretation of the Motorsport philosophy."

Unlike many unofficial BMW concept designs we've seen in the past, this one is restrained in comparison and could even be credible as an official concept design. Check out the images and video below and tell us if you agree.

BMW fans have been starved for a halo supercar and something like this would certainly look the part. There have been rumors lately of a potential "M100" halo sports car from BMW, which may arrive to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of BMW (founded in 1917).

This car commemorates the 40 years of Motorsport department. I decide to work on a spyder in honor of the Z8 and 8 series. Modern interpretation of the Motorsport philosophy.

I was working like a professional team with Benjamin, a 3D modeler from my school who did 8 months internship at DesignWorks Munich. I focused one ideation sketches + 3D design process.

Universe.

First ideation.

Final ideation.

3D Developement.

I progressed in management of project and for finalisation of the detail wheels, headlight, color and material. The project represents a real evolution for me, as a car conception learning. Overall it was good collaboration with Benjamin.

Final Rendering.

Final proposal.

MZ8 Sign.

MZ8 Stance.

3D modeling by Benjamin Baron. Here is the result after 3 weeks of modeling.

Centered around of sport, granting of the importance to pleasure and to sensation.

I wanted to express a strong emotion because today, it is important to still dream on the car market.

Concept associated to week end scenario for a moment of evasion.

The light identity is specific with a Z signature on the rear part.

It is a rear mid-engine ( V8 4,4L biturbo : 600 HP ).

The kidneys have a new shape which continue to the bonet. It gives a stronger character to the car.

Final animation.

The MZ8 animation where you can enjoy the global car. BMW Design gave the approval for this project.

Man...he got to spend eight months interning at BMW Designworks and came up with that?! Yikes, it doesn't look much better than a freshman's work from CCS or ACCD. Props for the hard work but there are so many design fundamentals absent in this.

The front is decent but the front intake louvres are undersized and two much drag from the mirrored kidney grill effect - could save material. The angle of the front is neat.

The side has that newer BMW infiniti central beam character to it - could extend the air curtain.

Other than the front, the design has ditched most BMW design characteristics. The back is awful. It's a good framework though and could see BMW getting more aggressive w their design, however no emotions are stirred from this. I would like a halo car to look effing pissed off like it wants to murder something. The brake caliper placement doesn't look optimized either.

Just not my cup of tee though. Way too much going on and doesn't seem like a BMW supercar lol

Yea i agree... I like the idea; bmw definitely needs a halo car, but this looks like something with 80's and 90's design cues which i'm not really feeling. The only picture i like is the one in the dark lol. Love the idea for a mid-engined coupe/roadster though!

I'm digging some of the lines and design cues, but the car is confusing from many angles. Too confusing. The greenhouse is so small that it appears nonexistent from the front 3/4 view. I think going with the concentric grill inserts was faux pas as well. The kidney grill with vertical fins is BMW heritage at its core. Abandoning that is... I just can't accept it. The BMW i-series both depart from this key design cue, but they don't use anything at all.